R S V P / ORANGE COUNTY : Red Cross Supporters Honor Venus With Roman Holiday

Orange Pulp, the young professionals auxiliary of the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross, stole a scene from the movie “Animal House” and staged a toga party Saturday. But this bash took place in an elegant, neoclassic health spa instead of a trashed frat house.

More than 200 party animals donned sheets, laurel wreaths and sandals for the toga gala and grand opening of Venus Restaurant at the Spa in Costa Mesa. The $35-per-person buffet dinner and dance was expected to net $1,500 for local Red Cross youth programs.

Under Covers

“We decided to have a toga party because it fit the name of the restaurant,” said Chris Freundt, one of five founders of Orange Pulp. Freundt rented a purple toga that made him look like a Roman senator.

“I’ve got shorts on underneath. I didn’t go authentic,” he said.

Guests interpreted the dress code according to their creative whims. Mark Dorfman wore a blue-striped bedsheet he’d hastily pinned together.

“I pulled it straight off the bed before I got here,” Dorfman said.

Others concocted more elaborate costumes. Sammy Perricone, gala chairman, sported a black sheet with a bow tie by Nicole Miller.

“I’m going formal,” he said.

Gena Smith swiped her daughter’s Snow White sheets and made a belt out of her plastic dwarf figurines. Her husband, Charles, sported a sheet with racing cars and a wrench attached to his belt.

Carrie Swartzbaugh, another Orange Pulp founder, wore a toga that was originally made by her mother and later worn by everyone in her family. The toga was flown from Omaha for the party.

“It’s a family hand-me-down,” she said.

Roman Feast

Guests wandered about the Spa, sampling buffets stocked with Mediterranean fare prepared by Venus. Among the offerings: pizza with shrimp and asparagus; bow-tie pasta with vegetables and herbs; shrimp and calamari seafood salad, and chicken with honey mustard, sesame and fresh ginger.

Amid burning torches, Roman statues and columns set out around the Spa’s pool area, party-goers danced to the band Eight.

Orange Pulp was formed two years ago and now has 25 active members age 22 to 35. Members hold several events each year, including a recent PastaFest fund-raiser and a New Year’s Eve bash. Proceeds benefit the local Red Cross Youth Services, including Y.i.E.S., a program that trains high school students in disaster preparedness. Members also act as role models for the youths.

“We’re grooming high school students to become involved in charities,” Freundt said. Faces in the crowd included Venus owners Massimo Navaretta and Salvatore Cesareo, both sporting togas and wreaths of grape vines on their heads; Penny Hughes, director of volunteers with the O.C. Red Cross; George Chitty, chief executive officer of the local Red Cross; Mark Stier; John Sorenson; David Nguyen, and Yvonne Perricone.